System for spraying drill pipe



Feb. 28, 1967 J. c. GRANT 3,306,310

SYSTEM FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE Filed Feb. l5, 1965. 4 Sheets-Sheet l FBIO. 28, 1 C, GRANT SYSTEM FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE Filed Feb. 15, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 um In.. ,wm

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Feb. 28, 1967 J. c. GRANT SYSTEM FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. l5, 1965 INVENTOR. J/// 6254/1/7' BY (java Q Feb-28, 1967 .J. c. GRANT 3,306,310

A VSYSTEM FOR' SPRAYING DRILL PIPE vFiled Feb. l5, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ili TTZ/VEX/ United States Patent iice 3,306,310 SYSTEM FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE John C. Grant, Huntington Park, Calif., assigner to Byron `Iacltson Inc., Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 432,561 4 Claims. (Cl. 134-122) This invention relates to apparatus for spraying a string of drill pipe, tubing, or the like while it is being run into or out of a well, such as an oil, water or gas well.

Ordinary drilling mud materials and the usual drilling mud systems in use today are not in themselves generally corrosive, but they can, under certain conditions, become corrosive and dangerously so in a very short time. In general, drilling muds are more likely to become corrosive while drilling in hard rock country than in soft formation drilling. When drilling muds are or 'become corrosive, they attack drill pipe and the like, seriously corroding it and shortening its service life.

It has been the practice to treat drill pipe with liquid solutions of corrosion inhibiting materials to reduce the deleterious effects of drilling muds on the pipe.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide apparatus for spraying drill pipe or tubing with a rust-inhibiting solution as the pipe string is being run into or out of a well. The spraying apparatus of the invention may also be used for washing the pipe with wate-r where corrosion is not a problem.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spray head assembly that is easily installed on the riser or bell nipple of a well below the rotary table of the drilling rig.

Another object is to provide a spray device in which the opening of the spray head through which the pipe passes may be widened to allow a drill bit to pass through it.

Still another object is to provide a spray headapparatus which, when it is once installed, does not have to be removed until the drilling is completed.

Another object is to provide, in such apparatus, remote control devices for feeding liquid to the spray head and for enlarging or contracting the opening in the spray head through which the pipe string passes.

The foregoing and other aims, objects, and advantages of the invention are realized in apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like which includes a base; a plurality of spray nozzles positioned to provide a central opening therebetween through which a string of pipe may pass, the nozzles being arranged to project liquid `sprays into the opening and upon a string of pipe passing therethrough. The apparatus also includes means mounting the nozzles on the base for movement outwardly from the foregoing positions to other positions in which the central opening is enlarged to allow passage therethrough of an object, such as a drill bit, of larger diameter than the pipe. Means are also provided for supplying liquid unde-r pressure to the nozzles.

Preferably, the nozzles are mounted on arms pivoted to the base for swinging movement of the arms outwardly to enlarge the central opening. lRemotely controlled means may be provided for pivoting the arms, and a remotely controlled system may be employed to control the tlow of liquid to the nozzles. The controls for these remotely controlled devices may be installed on the floor of the rig where they can be readily operated 'by the driller. The base of the apparatus may have a quickly releasable clamping means for attaching it to the well riser.

The invention will 'be described with greater particularity with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational View of one form of spraying apparatus embodying the invention together with associated equipment;

3,306,310 Patented Feb. 28, 1967 FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, parts being broken asway to show interior construction.

FIG. 3 is a sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to FIG. l thereof, there is shown a bell nipple 10 of an oil well which is being drilled. Mounted on and adjacent to the top of the bell nipple is a spraying apparatus designated by the general reference numeral 11. The spraying apparatus has a base 12 to which are pivoted generally vertical, upstanding arms 13 that carry the spray head subassemblies 14, 14. A string of drill pipe 15 is shown extending from the bell nipple through the spraying apparatus 11 and the rotary table 16 of a drilling rig. A pipe wiper 17 surrounds the drill pipe between the top of the bell nipple and the spray head subassemblies; and a similar pipe wiper 18 rides on the pipe between the spraying apparatus and the bottom of the rotary table when washing pipe or when desired to wipe olf excess rust inhibitor.

There is also shown in FIG. 1 a drum 19 on the rig floor 20, the drurn containing a solution to be sprayed on the pipe. The other equipment illustrated in FIG. 1, including fluid conduits and control devices, will be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the base 12 of the spraying apparatus has a pair `of parallel frame members 21, 21 disposed on opposite sides of the bell nipple 10. Each frame member has welded to its top a plate 22, the inwardly directed edge of which has a notch 23 forming a clamp by which the base is secured to th-e bell nipple.

The opposed outer ends of the frame members 21, 21 are 'bored to receive transverse rods 24, 24. Nuts 25, 25 are threaded to the ends of the rods to provide transverse members completing the base. When the nuts are tightened, the clamping notches 23 grip the bell nipple to fasten the base to the nipple.

As 'best seen in FIG. 4, each transverse rod is tted with a sleeve 26 intermediate the frame members 21, 21. This sleeve is adapted to rotate on the rod. The ends of the sleeves are provided with anges 27, 27. Between these flanges and the frame members are located spacers 28 which may be made of -rubber or steel springs and which serve to center the sleeves 26 between the frame members. The spacers t sufficiently loosely so that the sleeves may rotate on their suporting rods. The axial length of the spacers may be varied so that the base may be tted to well risers of different diameters.

The vertical arms 13 are welded to the sleeves 26, as

I' seen in FIG. 4. Each pair of arms is provided with a shaft 29 welded to the arms for the purposes of strengthening the structure and enabling both pairs of arms to be rocked in unison.

Double-acting, piston and cylinder, pneumatic motors 30 are used to rock the sets of arms loutwardly from their vertical positionsand to swing them back to their vertical positions. Each motor has a cylinder 31 with a clevis 32 attached to the base end. The clevis has a pin 33 by which it is pivoted to a member 34 that is fastened to the horizontal plate 22. A piston `rod 35 extends from the opposite end of the cylinder, the end of the piston rod carrying a bearing 36 that is tted to and oscillates on the end of shaft 29. Bearing 36 has an ear 36a which is pivoted by a pin 3611 to a yoke 35a mounted on the end of the piston rod 35 to provide an articulated joint. This joint allows the cylinders 31 to swing slightly as the clamping plates are moved towards and away from each other in fastening the base to'bell nipples of dilferent diameters.

The motors 30 are operated in the following way to swing the arm assemblies outwardly and inwardly. When air is admitted to the piston end of the cylinder through fitting 37, the piston moves outwardly extending the piston rod 35. This motion is transmitted through the bearing 36 and shaft 29 to the arms 13 to swing them 4outwardly to an extended position, as shown in 'broken lines in FIG. l. To retract the arms, compressed air is admitted to the rod end of the cylinder through fitting 38 to move the piston and piston rod inwardly to return the arms 13 to their upright positions.

The spray head subassemblies 14, 14 will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Each spray head 14 has a semi-circular housing 39 welded to the upper ends of arms 13. These housings provide a central opening 40 through which the pipe 15 may pass with ample clearance, but through which a drill bit, for example, cannot normally pass because it has too great a diameter. The housings are open on the sides facing the pipe to permit the sprays of liquid to impinge upon the pipe. Within each semi-circular housing there is mounted an arcuate header 41 having radially and inwardly directed spray nozzles 42. Liquid is fed to the header through a tting 43 and tiows through the header to the spray nozzles 42, from which it issues in the form of sprays that are projected against the pipe 15.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that one end of each housing has a radial partition 44 and the adjacent end of the opposed housing has another partition 45 parallel to and adjacent to the partition 44. Partitions 44 carry alignment pins 46 which are received in alignment openings 47 in the adjacent partitions 45 when the housings are in closed or retracted positions. The alignment pins carry rubber washers 48 that serve to cushion the subassemblies 14 when they come together upon closing.

Reverting to FIG. l, the uid conduits and control devices will now be described. Located above the drilling rig iioor 20, at a place convenient to the driller, is a control station 49 for remotely operating the pneumatic m0- tors 30 that swing the arms 13 to open and close the semi-circular spray head assemblies 14. From any convenient source of compressed air (not shown), air under pressure is admitted to the pneumatic system through a pipe T 50. The air flows through a pressure reducing valve 51 to a pneumatic control valve 52 having a control lever 53. With the lever in one position, air ows through the hoses 54, 54a and 54h to the fittings 37 at the piston ends of the two pneumatic motors. This air causes the motors to function and thereby extend the arms 13 and open the `spray head subassemblies to the positions shown in broken lines in FIG. l. As this action takes place, air from the rod ends of the cylinders ows through the hoses 55a, 55b and 55 back to the control valve 52 from which it is exhausted to atmosphere.

When it is desired to return the spray head subassemblies to their closed positions, as shown in full lines in FIG. 1, the operating lever 53 is thrown to another position which reverses the iiow of air in the hoses 54 and 55. Under these conditions, air flows from the control valve through the hose 55 to retract the pistons of the pneumatic motors to close the spray head subassemblies. During the closing of the spray head subassemblies, air from the piston ends of the cylinders is exhausted to atmosphere through the hoses 54a, 54b and 54, and the control valve 52.

The pipe treating liquid in the drum 19 may be agitated by an agitator (not shown) inside the drum. This agitator is driven by a pneumatic motor 59 supplied with compressed air to operate the same through a hose 59a under control of valve 59b connected to the air inlet 50.

Treating liquid in the drum is pumped by pneumatic pump 56 to force it from the drum through a strainer 58e and conduits 58, 58a and 58b to-the iittings 43 on the spray headers. Air for driving the pump 56 is admitted through pressure reducing valve 51. The ow of air to the pump 56 through conduit 57 is controlled by valve 60.

If desired, plain water rnay be used to wash the pipe if corrosion inhibition is not needed. In this case, water under pressure from any suitable source (not shown) is fed directly through the strainer 58e and the flow of water is controlled by a suitable valve.

Referring to FIG. 1, the operation of the spraying apparatus of the invention will be described briey. Assume that the drill pipe string 15 is being withdrawn from the well through the riser 10. With the spray head subassemblies closed, i.e., in the full line position, the valve 60 to the drum 19 is opened to cause the pump 56 to deliver corrosion inhibiting solution to the spray nozzles 42. The solution is projected in a plurality of fine sprays upon the outer surface of the pipe string as it is being withdrawn from the well. Excess drilling mud is wiped from the pipe by the lower wiper 17 that is placed below the spray nozzles and that is prevented from riding up with the pipe by the semi-circular housings 39, the bottoms of which overlie the wiper. Excess inhibiting solution is wiped from the pipe string by the optional wiper 18 above the spray nozzles.

Just before the drill bit (not shown) at the bottom of the pipe string is withdrawn upwardly from the riser, the spray head subassemblies 14 are moved to their dotted line positions as shown in FIG. l to allow the drill bit to be pulled from the riser without being obstructed by the spray head subassemblies.

On going into the hole, the drill bit is introduced into the riser with the spray head subassemblies in their open positions. When the drill bit has cleared the washing area, the spray head subassemblies may be retracted to their closed positions and, if desired, the pipe string may be treated or washed while it is being lowered.

Instead of using pneumatic motors for opening and closing the spray head subassemblies, one may use other motor means, such as hydraulic or electric motors. These latter may be remotely controlled from the ring floor, if desired. Moreover, the spray head subassemblies may be manually rocked between their full-line and broken-line positions (FIG. 1), or the subassemblies may be rocked in any other convenient way, as by means of cables attached to the subassemblies and pulled from the rig floor.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the present invention provides an apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like, accomplishing the objects of the invention in an efficient way.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like which compnses:

(a) a base;

(b) a plurality of spray nozzles positioned in generally circular configuration to provide a central opening therebetween through which a string of pipe may pass, said nozzles being arranged to project liquid sprays into said opening and upon a string of pipe passing therethrough;

(e) a plurality of arms pivoted to said base and supporting said nozzles for swinging movement outwardly from said positions to enlarge said central opening to allow passage therethrough of an object of larger diameter than said pipe;

(d) housing means surrounding said opening and enclosing said nozzles, said housing means providing openings through which liquid sprays are projected into said opening, said housing means being supported by and swingable with said arms;

(e) motor means for pivoting said arms;

(f) means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles;

(g) said base providing an aperture aligned with said central opening, said aperture being adapted to receive the top of a well riser; and

(h) clamping means on said base for securing said base to a well riser received in said aperture.

2. Apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like which comprises:

(a) a base;

(b) a plurality of spray nozzles positioned in general- 1y circular configuration to provide a central opening therebetween through which a string of pipe may pass, said nozzles being arranged to project liquid sprays into said opening and upon a string of pipe passing therethrough;

(c) a plurality of arms pivoted to said base and supporting said nozzles for swinging movement outwardly from said positions to enlarge said Icentral opening to allow passage therethrough of an object of larger diameter than said pipe;

(d) housing means surrounding said opening and enclosing said nozzles, said housing means providing openings through which liquid sprays are projected into said opening, said housing means being supported by an swingable with said arms;

(e) motor means for pivoting said arms;

(f) means for supplying liquid under pressure to said nozzles;

(g) said base providing an aperture aligned with said central opening, said aperture being adapted to receive the top of a well riser;

(h) clamping means on said base for securing said base to a well riser received in said aperture;

(i) remote control means for :said motor means; and

(j) remote control means for said means for supplying liquid to said nozzles.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein means is provided for varying the size of the aperture in said base to receive well risers of different diameters.

4. Apparatus for spraying drill pipe and the like as the pipe is being run into and out of a well through a well riser, the pipe carrying an object of larger diameter than the pipe, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

(a) a base;

(b) means for Xedly mounting said base adjacent to the top of the well riser;

(c) a plurality of spray nozzles disposed in positions to provide a central opening therebetween through which the drill pipe is passed as it is run through the well riser, said nozzles being arranged to project liquid sprays into said opening and upon the drill pipe as it passes through said opening, said opening being of a diameter to freely admit the pipe while excluding the object of larger diameter that is carried by the pipe;

(d) means for mounting said nozzles on said base for movement outwardly from said positions to other positions to enlarge said central opening to allow passage therethrough of the object of larger diameter that is carried by the pipe, and for return movement of said nozzles to said rst mentioned positions;

(e) power means operable independently of the drill pipe for moving said nozzles from either one of said positions to the other one of said positions; and

(f) means for supplying liquid to said nozzles.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,521,390 12/ 1924 Reynolds.

2,132,303 10/1938 Lathrop.

2,535,451 12/1950 Phillips 118-305 2,593,295 4/1952 Graneld 239-587 X 2,858,555 11/1958 Medovick 118-307 X 3,196,888 7/1965 Rousseau 134-180 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. L. BLEUTGE, Assistant Examiner. 

4. APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING DRILL PIPE AND THE LIKE AS THE PIPE IS BEING RUN INTO AND OUT OF A WELL THROUGH A WELL RISER, THE PIPE CARRYING AN OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAN THE PIPE, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BASE; (B) MEANS FOR FIXEDLY MOUNTING SAID BASE ADJACENT TO THE TOP OF THE WELL RISER; (C) A PLURALITY OF SPRAY NOZZLES DISPOSED IN POSITIONS TO PROVIDE A CENTRAL OPENING THEREBETWEEN THROUGH WHICH THE DRILL PIPE IS PASSED AS IT IS RUN THROUGH THE WELL RISER, SAID NOZZLES BEING ARRANGED TO PROJECT LIQUID SPRAYS INTO SAID OPENING AND UPON THE DRILL PIPE AS IT PASSESD THROUGH SAID OPENING, SAID OPENING BEING OF A DIAMETER TO FREELY ADMIT THE PIPE WHILE EXCLUDING THE OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAT IS CARRIED BY THE PIPE; (D) MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID NOZZLES ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT OUTWARDLY FROM SAID POSITIONS TO OTHER POSITIONS TO ENLARGE SAID CENTRAL OPENING TO ALLOW PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OF THE OBJECT OF LARGER DIAMETER THAT IS CARRIED BY THE PIPE, AND FOR RETURN MOVEMENT OF SAID NOZZLES TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED POSITIONS; (E) POWER MEANS OPERABLE INDEPENDENTLY OF THE DRILL PIPE FOR MOVING SAID NOZZLES FROM EITHER ONE OF SAID POSITIONS TO THE OTHER ONE OF SAID POSITION; AND (F) MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID TO SAID NOZZLES. 